Judge Mary Margaret Rowlands Receives State Re-certification for Her Reentry Court
Summit County, Ohio: The RE-ENTRY COURT of SUMMIT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS JUDGE MARY MARGARET ROWLANDS has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.
To receive the certification, Judge Rowlands submitted an application, underwent a site visit, and provided specific program materials in response to certification standards that went into effect in January 2014.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated Judge Rowlands and her Re-Entry Court team for receiving final certification.
“Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society,” said Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. “Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars.”
Specialized dockets are courts dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that deal with issues such as:
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Mental Health
- Domestic Violence
- Human Trafficking
The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio, and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community’s needs and resources.
“Working with our Reentry Court team and participants is an honor. To watch our participants learn and grow, and to witness their hard work bear fruit as they become healthy, productive, law abiding members of our community, shows the value of this process.” Rowlands said.
The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and is headed by the specialized docket judge.
The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.
For further information or to view one of Judge Rowland’s Reentry Court sessions, please contact Emily Willard at 330-643-2772.
Judge Tammy O’Brien Receives State Re-certification for Her Re-Entry Court
Summit County, Ohio: The RE-ENTRY COURT of SUMMIT COUNTY COMMON PLEAS JUDGE TAMMY O’BRIEN has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets.
To receive the certification, Judge O’Brien submitted an application, underwent a site visit, and provided specific program materials in response to certification standards that went into effect in January 2014.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor congratulated Judge O’Brien and her Re-Entry Court team for receiving final certification.
“Specialized dockets divert offenders toward criminal justice initiatives that employ tools and tailored services to treat and rehabilitate the offender so they can become productive members of society,” said Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. “Studies have shown this approach works by reducing recidivism while saving tax dollars.”
Specialized dockets are dedicated to specific types of offenses or offenders and use a combination of different techniques for holding offenders accountable while also addressing the underlying causes of their behavior. There are more than 210 specialized dockets in Ohio courts that deal with issues such as:
- Drugs and Alcohol
- Mental Health
- Domestic Violence
- Human Trafficking
The standards provide a minimum level of uniform practices for specialized dockets throughout Ohio, and allow local courts to innovate and tailor to meet their community’s needs and resources.
“I am happy to have the Re-Entry Court recertified by the Supreme Court of Ohio so that we can continue to provide needed services to offenders upon their early release from incarceration. While presiding over this specialized docket for the last six years, I have seen first-hand how people can reestablish their lives as productive citizens with the right assistance. Investing resources at a critical time, when people are first released, reduces recidivism rates, and ultimately costs our community less than when people scramble to transition back into society and then often reoffend.” O’Brien said.
The certification requirements include establishing eligibility requirements, evaluating effectiveness of the specialized docket, and assembling a treatment team for implementing daily operations of the specialized docket. The team can include licensed treatment providers, law enforcement, court personnel, and is headed by the specialized docket judge.
The Commission on Specialized Dockets has 22 members who advise the Supreme Court and its staff regarding the promotion of statewide rules and uniform standards concerning specialized dockets in Ohio courts; the development and delivery of specialized docket services to Ohio courts; and the creation of training programs for judges and court personnel. The commission makes all decisions regarding final certification.
For further information or to view one of Judge O’Brien’s Reentry Court sessions, please contact Kiel Freeman at 330.643.2772.
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